Story by Theophilus Chuma
Climate change has emerged a potent driver of internal migration with fears of natural disasters rendering millions homeless as global warming increases.
According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), climate migration poses a huge risk for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Environmental disasters such as cyclones and droughts are driving internal migration, with authorities projecting millions of people will be forced away from their homes within the next two decades.
The climatic shifts will put extra pressure on vulnerable groups such as women and children.
“Climate change is driving more people to move than any other factor. Last year, more people were displaced due to climate change, which is an extra-ordinary fact. And when we look at the hundreds of thousands of people who are living in communities extremely affected by climate change, we know their situation will only become direr,” said International Organisation for Migration Director General, Ms Amy Pope.
The World Bank states that climate migration in Sub-Saharan Africa can have substantial development implications and the stakes are high.
Achieving a resilient society where people can either adapt and thrive or migrate with dignity toward areas of higher opportunity is an important part of meeting national development goals.
Zimbabwe is already a step up, after implementing organised migration through bilateral ties with Rwanda.
“Within SADC we have a Labour and Employment sub-sector. We want to use that opportunity to create bilateral ties within SADC so that we have organised migration within the regional bloc,” said the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable July Moyo.
On the side lines of the International Migrants Day commemorated in Harare this Tuesday, government also stated it is looking into the critical issue to ensure that pensions for people in the diaspora are guaranteed.
